Piping joint assembly system and method

ABSTRACT

A pipe fitting and associated piping joint assembly package allow re-use and repair of push-fit piping fittings and valves without damage to the fitting or valve elements or the pipe, and without coining, gluing or threaded engagement of parts. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pipe fitting having first and second radial housing elements for receiving one or more sealing members and a fastening ring, respectively. The fastening ring can be a split fastening ring. The split fastening ring and the sealing members provided as part of the present invention are capable of being removed and/or replaced.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 61/473,418, filed Apr. 8, 2011 and entitled “Piping Joint Assembly,System and Method”, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/981,855, entitled “Piping Joint Assembly, System andMethod”, filed on Dec. 30, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/807,072 filed May 25, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.7,862,089, entitled “Piping Joint Assembly, System and Method” whichissued on Jan. 4, 2011. The disclosures of all of the above areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fluid flow systems, and moreparticularly to a push-fit piping joint assembly, system and method thatfacilitates the repair and re-use of piping system parts without coiningor threaded end caps.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Piping systems exist to facilitate the flow of fluids (e.g., liquid, gas(such as air) or plasma). For example, homes, schools, medicalfacilities, commercial buildings and other occupied structures generallyrequire integrated piping systems so that water and/or other fluids canbe circulated for a variety of uses. Liquids and/or gases such as coldand hot water, breathable air, glycol, compressed air, inert gases,cleaning chemicals, waste water, plant cooling water and paint andcoatings are just some examples of the types of fluids and gases thatcan be deployed through piping systems. Tubing/piping types can include,for example, copper, stainless steel, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinylchloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). For purposes of thepresent disclosure, the term “pipe” or “piping” will be understood toencompass one or more pipes, tubes, piping elements and/or tubingelements.

Piping connections are necessary to join various pieces of pipe and mustbe versatile in order to adapt to changes of pipe direction required inparticular piping system implementations. For example, fittings andvalves may be employed at the ends of open pieces of pipe that enabletwo pieces of pipe to fit together in a particular configuration. Amongfitting types there are elbows, “tees”, couplings adapted for variouspurposes such as pipe size changes, ends, ball valves, stop valves, andpartial angle connectors, for example.

In the past, pipe elements have been traditionally connected by weldingand/or soldering them together using a torch. Soldering pipe fittingscan be time-consuming, unsafe, and labor intensive. Soldering alsorequires employing numerous materials, such as copper pipes andfittings, emery cloths or pipe-cleaning brushes, flux, silver solder, asoldering torch and striker, a tubing cutter and safety glasses. Theprocess for soldering pipes can proceed by first preparing the pipe tobe soldered, as the copper surface must be clean in order to form a goodjoint. The end of the pipe can be cleaned on the outside with emerycloth or a specially made wire brush. The inside of the fitting must becleaned as well. Next, flux (a type of paste) can be applied to removeoxides and draw molten solder into the joint where the surfaces will bejoined. The brush can be used to coat the inside of the fitting and theoutside of the pipe with the flux. Next, the two pipes are pushedtogether firmly into place so that they “bottom out”—i.e., meet flushinside the fitting. The tip of the solder can be bent to the size of thepipe in order to avoid over soldering. With the pipes and fitting inplace, the torch is then ignited with the striker or by an auto-strikemechanism to initiate soldering. After heating for a few moments, if thecopper surface is hot enough such that it melts when touched by the endof the solder, the solder can then be applied to the joint seam so thatit runs around the joint and bonds the pipe and fitting together.

In recent years, push-fit technology has been employed with pipingsystems to reduce the dangers and time involved in soldering joints,Push-fit methods require minimal knowledge of pipe fitting and involvefar fewer materials than soldering. For example, one may only need thepipes, quick-connect fittings, a chamfer/de-burring tool and tubingcutter in order to connect pipes using push-fit technology.

The steps involved in connecting piping systems using push-fittechnology can be outlined as follows. First, the pipe is cut to theappropriate length and the end of the pipe is cleaned with thede-burring tool. Then the pipe and fitting are pushed together forconnection, The fitting is provided with a fastening ring (also called acollet, grip ring or grab ring) having teeth that grip the pipe as it isinserted. The fastening ring device is employed to provide opposingenergy, preventing the device from disconnection while creating apositive seal. Accordingly, no wrenches, clamping, gluing or solderingis involved. Push-fit and/or quick-connect technology for piping systemscan be obtained, for example, through Quick Fitting, Inc. of EastProvidence, Rhode island, USA, suppliers of the CoPro® line of pipefittings and related products. Also, such technology is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,089, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In past pipe coupling technology, the fastening ring is inserted intothe fitting body along with a plastic grip ring support that typicallyfails under extensive tensile testing. Further, the coupling must thenbe either coin rolled, glued or receive a threaded cap member to retainthe fastening ring inside the fitting body. In addition to the addedsteps for the manufacture and assembly of the coupling, the strength ofthe plumbing joint is determined by the retaining cap member. Theadditional steps and components add significant labor and manufacturingcosts to the final product cost and reduce the overall productioncapability due to the extensive time required for proper assembly.

In addition to the above, when using a threaded retaining cap method,the process of cutting threads into the fitting body and the retainingcap elevates the cost of machining the fitting components. Further, thethreaded end cap method requires mechanical assembly as well as theadded cost and application of a thread sealant to the threads. In priorefforts that employ a coined retaining cap method, the process ofcoining the fitting body as the retaining cap significantly increasesthe cost of final assembly of the fitting. Additionally, the coiningprocess permanently encapsulates the fastening ring inside the fitting,whereby the fastening ring cannot be removed without completedestruction of the ring and fitting.

Along with additional assembly steps and increased manufacturing costs,past pipe fittings and connection methods do not allow repair forvarious reasons. In some cases, this is because they are factory sealed,for example. In other cases, it is because the separation of the fittingfrom the pipe can damage or induce wear on the parts. For example, somepush-fit pipe fittings provide permanently fixed demounting rings forremoving the fittings. The demounting rings can be depressed axially tolift the fastening ring teeth off of the surface of the inserted pipe,such that the pipe can then be withdrawn. This arrangement, however, cansubject the pipe fittings to tampering and shorter life. In addition,while fastening ring devices work effectively as an opposing retainingmember, their functionality makes them nearly impossible to dismount,remove or detach for re-use. The fastening rings are thus permanentlyaffixed unless they are cut and removed, which then destroys thefastening ring.

Whether connected by traditional soldering methods or with push-fitmethods, past efforts have been specifically provided for the connectionof like materials and lack the ability to connect two unlike materials,such as copper with CPVC, PEX or stainless steel, or any othercombination of unlike materials. Past methods further invariably requirethe replacement of fittings and valves, and do not allow re-use of thefittings or valves in instances where only a small internal componentneeds to be repaired or replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides, in part, a pipe fitting assembly packageas well as a removal method allowing one to re-use push-fit pipingfittings without damage to the fitting elements or the pipe. The presentinvention connects tubing/piping using no tools, clamps, solder orglues, while creating a leak-free seal at the connected joining area.Further, unlike prior methods, the present invention can join both likeand unlike piping elements in any combination, and without coining orthreading the elements into place.

The quick connection pipe joint assembly package provided as part of thepresent invention employs a one-piece retaining ring and pusher that,when removed, exposes the clamping, sealing and fastening mechanisms ofthe fitting. The retaining ring and pusher member (“release pusher” forpurposes of this disclosure) moves axially and can push the fasteningring of the present invention in order to facilitate the release of acylindrical object such as a piping element held within the fitting.

For purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting (also referred to as abody member) can encompass a valve member and other piping elementsincluding, but not limited to: a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a teejoint, a stop end, a ball valve member, tubing and other objects havingcylindrical openings. In one embodiment of the present invention, a dualseal is provided with sealing member gasket inserts (e.g., O-ringmembers) that fit side-by-side within a first radial housing elementdefined in the interior wall of the fitting. In addition, at each pipereceiving end of the fitting, a second radial housing element ismachined into the interior wall to retain the edges of the fasteningring. The interior housing elements provide integrated support for thesealing members and fastening ring when opposing force is applied topiping elements that have been inserted into the fitting pipe. In oneembodiment, a flexible metal support snap ring gland member is employedto provide additional support for the fastening ring.

In one aspect of the present invention, once the fastening ring isinserted into the fitting, the fastening ring does not require anyadditional method or device to retain it under opposing force. Theintegrated radial housing element provides for a more stable fasteningring connection with the ability to withstand significantly highertensile pulling forces than the prior art. As a result, the stability ofthe quick fitting fastening connection is not determined or co-dependenton a plastic retainer, threaded end cap or machined coined retainer.

The release pusher provided as part of the present invention isprimarily employed to facilitate the release of tubing, piping and othercylindrical objects inserted into a fitting. The release pusher ismanually pushed into the fitting body and tapered edges of the releasepusher generally or nearly abut the installed fastening ring. When it isdesired to release an inserted pipe, for example, from the fitting, therelease pusher can be forced in the direction of the fastening ring suchthat its angular surfaces depress the fastening ring teeth off of thesurface of the inserted pipe, thereby allowing the pipe to be removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the piping jointassembly package of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective cross-sectional view of thepiping joint assembly package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the presentinvention according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of encircled portion 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the fitting of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detailed cross-sectional views of encircled portions6-6 and 7-7 of FIG. 5, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the release pusher of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of one embodiment of the fastening ring ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the fastening ring of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a right side cross-sectional view of the fastening ring takenalong line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an exploded front perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the piping joint assembly package of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the presentinvention according to FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a detailed cross-sectional view of encircled portion 14-14 ofFIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the fitting ofthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a detailed cross-sectional view of encircled portions 16-16of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the flexible support snap ring gland memberof the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a right side cross-sectional view of the snap ring glandmember taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the push-fit piping joint assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,elements of the joint assembly as shown include: a fitting (i.e.,fitting body member) 12 having an inner wall 13 and outer wall 15, afastening ring 18, two substantially identical sealing members 14, 16(which can be optionally lubricated) and a release pusher 20. Thefastening ring and sealing members together provide one embodiment of apacking arrangement for the present invention, and each has an internaldiameter that allows for smooth and snug engagement of a piping ortubing element external surface 24. The fitting 12 is substantiallyhollow with a pipe receiving opening 100 therein. In one embodiment, theinterior diameters of the fastening ring 18 (as measured to the teeth 19and not the ring cylindrical base) and sealing members 14, 16 aresubstantially the same, and the interior diameters of the fitting 12 andthe release pusher 20 are substantially the same. Further, the interiordiameters of the fastening ring 18 and sealing members 14, 16 areslightly less than that of the fitting 12 and release pusher 20 so as tofacilitate proper operation of the present invention. The release pusher20 is substantially cylindrical and includes an external tip 21 at thefastening ring engaging end thereof.

In one embodiment, the fitting 12 can be forged CW617N brass, with fullporting and full flow fitting, for example. The lubricant for thesealing members 14, 16 can be a food grade lubricant, for example. Itwill be appreciated that the sealing members can comprise a flat ring orwasher-type seal member in addition or as an alternative to a circularmember of substantially circular cross-section. The fastening ring 18can comprise a spring steel formulation, for example, that enables thefastening ring to be malformed during installation, while springing backinto its originally manufactured position once installed. The fasteningring is capable of grabbing an inserted pipe's surface via two or moreteeth 19 to ensure connections cannot be pulled apart. The fasteningring teeth are angled downward from the perimeter of the ring, towardthe fitting and away from the cap, such that when the pipe is inserted,the teeth exert a pressure against the pipe to discourage the pipe fromslipping or moving back out of the fitting. No wrenches, solder,welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elements are required toform a connection.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, for example, the release pusher 20includes a radially outer ledge 26, the external tip 21 and outer wallsegments 25, 27. The release pusher can comprise an injection-moldedplastic material or a metal material such as brass, for example. Whenpressure is applied on the back side 30 of the release pusher 20, theexternal tip 21 can engage the inside surface 32 of the fastening ringteeth 19 as will be described in more detail below, and the ledge backwall 29 can removeably engage a retaining lip 34 extending radiallyinwardly of the fitting inner wall 13 at the axially outermost positionof the fitting, as shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment of the release pusher of the present invention, theouter wall segments 25, 27 comprise a single linear segment from theradially outer ledge to the external tip. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the first outer wall segment 25extends linearly at a first angle C from the radially outer ledge 26 toan outer wall intermediate point 36, and the second outer wall segment27 extends linearly from the outer wall intermediate point 36 to theexternal tip 21 at a second angle D.

During removal, a tool such as a specially adapted wrench, for example,can be applied to the outer top surface of the release pusher so as toexert a pushing and lifting force that causes the release pusher outerledge to disengage the retaining lip 34. Once the release pusher isremoved, the internal packing arrangement components are exposed forremoval and/or replacement.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, the fitting 12 is formed with first 40and second 42 radial housing elements. The first radial housing element40 houses sealing members 14, 16, and the second radial housing element42 houses the fastening ring 18. The sealing members can be housed so asto substantially abut one another within the first radial housingelement 40. Further, the sealing members 14, 16 are shown axially inwardof the fastening ring 18, when in position within the fitting 12. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, the second radial housingelement 42 also houses a support snap ring gland member 90, described inmore detail below.

The first radial housing element 40 is formed by a first housing backwall segment 44, the fitting inner wall 13 and a housing separatorsegment 46. The second radial housing element 42 is formed by thehousing separator segment 46, the fitting inner wall 13 and a secondhousing front wall segment 48. The inner wall 13 is not labeled withinthe recesses of the housing elements 40, 42. As shown in FIG. 7, thesecond housing front wall segment 48 has a top angled guiding surface50, which permits sliding engagement with the fastening ringcircumferential base 52 (shown in FIG. 10) when the fastening ring 18 iseither being inserted or removed. The top angled guiding surface 50 ofthe second housing front wall segment 48 extends from the fitting innerwall 13 at an axially outer position 53 thereof to a front wall segmenttip 54 at an axially inner position 55 of the fitting inner wall 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, the housing separator segment 46 has a plateausurface 58 and a front wall 60 with a front tip 62. The housingseparator segment also includes a top angled backing surface 64 thatextends from the front wall tip 62 to the plateau surface 58. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the distance E from the fittinginner wall 13 to the separator segment front tip 62 is approximately thesame as the distance from the fitting inner wail 13 to the secondhousing front wall segment tip 54. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance E from the fitting innerwall 13 to the separator segment front tip 62 is less than the distancefrom the fitting inner wall 13 to the second housing front wall segmenttip 54. This distance E can be changed as necessary to facilitateengagement and movement of the fastening ring 18 within the secondradial housing element, as desired. As shown in FIG. 7, the top angledguiding surface 50 of the second housing front wall segment 48 canextend at an angle A measured from the fitting inner wall. Further, asshown in FIG. 6, the top angled backing surface 64 can extend at anangle B measured from the fitting inner wall. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, angles A and B are substantially the same. In oneembodiment of the present invention, angle B can range fromapproximately 9 degrees to approximately 52 degrees, and angle A canrange from approximately 6.5 degrees to approximately 50 degrees.Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, angle B is greaterthan angle D of the release pusher 20 (see FIG. 8) so as to facilitateproper operation of the present invention as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 through 11, the fastening ring 18 can be asplit ring member having a circumferential base 52 and twocircumferential end points 66 that do not connect. The fastening ringcan further include fixture points 68 for handling and compressing thefastening ring. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixturepoints 68 are provided at the split end so that a tool designed to holdthe fastening ring at the fixture points can more easily handle andcompress the fastening ring in order to assist with assembly ordisassembly. Once compressed, the fastening ring is easily insertableinto the second radial housing element 42 of the fitting 12 by releasingthe hold on the fixture points 68, thereby allowing the fastening ringto expand such that the circumferential base engages the walls of thesecond radial housing element. The fastening can be removed from thesecond radial housing element in similar manner. No wrenches, solder,welding, glue and/or twisting and turning the elements are required toform or disengage a connection. As shown in FIG. 9, the teeth 19 of thefastening ring 18 can extend at an angle F from the horizontal axis G,wherein F ranges from approximately 39 degrees to approximately 68degrees. In one embodiment of the present invention, angle F isapproximately 56 degrees.

Operation

In operation, the fitting 12 of the present invention is provided andone or more sealing members 14, 16 are inserted into the first radialhousing element 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Next, the fastening ring 18 isinserted into the second radial housing element 42, and release pusher20 is snapped into engagement with the retaining lip 34 of the fitting12. When a pipe 70 is inserted, it travels through the release pusher 20into the pipe receiving cavity 100 of the fitting 12, engaging thefastening ring 18 and the one or more sealing members 14, 16. Thesealing members provide a strong, leak-free seal and the fastening ringprohibits any inclination the pipe may have to slide out of positionadjacent the pipe end point lip 71 (see FIG. 3) inside the pipe fitting12.

FIGS. 12-18 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the first radial housing element 40 ofthe pipe fitting 12 is substantially the same as described above.Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the fitting 12, sealing members 14, 16,release pusher 20 and fastening ring 18 are similarly present. However,the second radial housing element 42 includes a front wall segment 72that does not have a top angled guiding surface. Rather, the front wallsegment 72 of the second radial housing element 42 extends radiallyoutwardly and into the fitting inner wall 13. As such, the second radialhousing element 42 includes the inner wall surface 13 for engaging thecircumferential base 52 of the fastening ring 18, as well as a surface74 for engaging the circumferential base 92 of a snap ring 90. Surface75 provides a guiding surface for the release pusher 20 as it is pushedaxially inwardly of the fitting in order to depress the fastening ringteeth so as to allow removal of an inserted pipe member, for example. Asshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the snap ring 90 includes a fasteningring-engaging surface 94 and a release pusher engaging surface 96, andis positioned in place in the fitting when the release pusher 20 issnapped or popped into engagement with the retaining lip 34 of thefitting 12. The snap ring 90 can comprise a spring steel formulation.Further, circumferential base 92 can extend from the horizontal axis Hof the snap ring 90 at an angle I of between approximately 6.5 degreesand approximately 50 degrees. In a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, angle I is approximately 40 degrees.

While the fastening ring 18 is shown in FIG. 12 as being a split ring,the fastening ring in this embodiment of the present invention can alsobe an integral ring that is not split. As such, and given the lowerprofile of the front wall segment 72 of the second radial housingelement 42, the fastening ring can be more easily inserted into thesecond radial housing element without as much initial deformation asthat associated with the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 1-5, for example.

In the embodiment of the present invention with the snap ring 90, thesnap ring can be provided with a split similar to that provided infastening ring 18 in FIG. 1. After placing the fastening ring into thesecond radial housing element, the support snap ring gland 90 can becompressed with a tool using fixture points (not shown) similar to thatshown for the fastening ring 18 of FIG. 10, and then positioned withinthe second radial housing element 42. The compression of the supportingsnap ring gland is released, and the ring returns to its originalmanufactured size, thereby acting to retain the fastening ring inposition. Next, the release pusher 20 can be pushed into place such thatthe ledge back wall 29 removably engages the lip member 34 of thefitting 12.

The angles described herein will be understood to be exemplary andprovided as embodiments associated with proper working operation of thepresent invention. For example, the angles of the top surfaces ofmembers 46 and 48 contribute to the stability of the present inventionas well as the easy manipulation of its component parts.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. A piping joint assembly, comprising: a fitting having an inner walldefining a pipe receiving cavity therein, the fitting having a firstradial housing element formed by a first housing back wall segment, thefitting inner wall and a housing separator segment, the fitting furtherhaving a second radial housing element formed by the housing separatorsegment, the fitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment,with the second housing front wall segment having a second housing frontwall segment tip, wherein the housing separator segment has a plateausurface and a front wall with a front tip, wherein the distance from theinner wall to the separator segment front tip is less than the distancefrom the inner wall to the second housing front wall segment tip, andwherein the housing separator segment includes a top angled backingsurface that extends from the front wall tip to the plateau surface; atleast two hollow sealing rings secured within the first radial housingelement; and a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angledinwardly from and along the circumference of the ring, the fasteningring secured within the second radial housing element.
 2. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the at least two hollow sealing rings are in contactwith each other.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a hollowrelease pusher removably engaged within an axially outer portion of thefitting inner wall.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the fasteningring is a split ring.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, further including asnap ring secured within the second radial housing element.
 6. Theassembly of claim 5, wherein the fastening ring is integrally formedwithout a gap, and wherein the snap ring has a circumferential baseportion with a gap formed therein.
 7. A piping joint assembly,comprising: a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipe receivingcavity therein, the fitting having a first radial housing element formedby a first housing back wall segment, the fitting inner wall and ahousing separator segment, the fitting further having a second radialhousing element formed by the housing separator segment, the fittinginner wall and a second housing front wall segment; at least two hollowsealing rings secured within the first radial housing element; and ahollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardly fromand along the circumference of the ring, the fastening ring securedwithin the second radial housing element, wherein the second housingfront wall segment has a top angled guiding surface that extends fromthe fitting inner wall at an axially outer position thereof to a frontwall segment tip at an axially inner position of the fitting inner wall.8. A piping joint assembly, comprising: a fitting having an inner walldefining a pipe receiving cavity therein, the fitting having a firstradial housing element formed by a first housing back wall segment, thefitting inner wall and a housing separator segment, the fitting furtherhaving a second radial housing element formed by the housing separatorsegment, the fitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment;at least two hollow sealing rings secured within the first radialhousing element; and a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teethangled inwardly from and along the circumference of the ring, thefastening ring secured within the second radial housing element, whereinthe second housing front wall segment has a top angled guiding surfaceand wherein the housing separator segment has a top angled backingsurface, and further wherein the top angled guiding surface and the topangled backing surface extend at substantially the same angle measuredfrom the fitting inner wall.
 9. A piping joint assembly, comprising: afitting having an inner wall defining a pipe receiving cavity therein,the fitting having a first radial housing element formed by a firsthousing back wall segment, the fitting inner wall and a housingseparator segment, the fitting further having a second radial housingelement formed by the housing separator segment, the fitting inner walland a second housing front wall segment; at least two hollow sealingrings secured within the first radial housing element; a hollowfastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardly from andalong the circumference of the ring, the fastening ring secured withinthe second radial housing element, wherein the fitting further includesa retaining lip extending radially inwardly from an axially outerportion of the fitting inner wall; and a hollow release pusher having aradially outer ledge, wherein the ledge has an exterior top surface andan exterior back wall, and further wherein the exterior back wall iscapable of removably engaging the retaining lip.
 10. A piping jointassembly, comprising: a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipereceiving cavity therein, the fitting having a first radial housingelement formed by a first housing back wall segment, the fitting innerwill and a housing separator segment, the fitting further having asecond radial housing element formed by the housing separator segment,the fitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment; at leasttwo hollow sealing rings secured within the first radial housingelement; and a hollow fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angledinwardly from and along the circumference of the ring, the fasteningring secured within the second radial housing element; a hollow releasepusher removably engaged within an axially outer portion of the fittinginner wall, the hollow release pusher having a radially outer ledge, anexternal tip and an outer wall segment extending from the radially outerledge to the external tip, wherein at least a portion of the outer wallsegment extends at an angle to the external tip; and wherein the housingseparator segment has a plateau surface and a front wall with a fronttip, and wherein the housing separator segment includes a top angledbacking surface that extends from the front wall tip to the plateausurface at an angle that is greater than the angle at which the outerwall segment of the release pusher extends to the external tip thereof.11. A method for assembling a pipe joint assembly, comprising the stepsof: providing a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipe receivingcavity therein, wherein the fitting has a first radial housing elementformed by a first housing back wall segment, the fitting inner wall anda housing separator segment, wherein the fitting further has a secondradial housing element formed by the housing separator segment, thefitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment, with thesecond housing front wall segment having a second housing front wallsegment tip, wherein the housing separator segment has a plateau surfaceand a front wall with a front tip, wherein the distance from the innerwall to the separator segment front tip is less than the distance fromthe inner wall to the second housing front wall segment tip, and whereinthe housing separator segment includes a top angled backing surface thatextends from the front wall tip to the plateau surface; securing atleast two hollow sealing rings within the first radial housing element;and securing a hollow fastening ring within the second radial housingelement, the fastening ring having a plurality of teeth angled inwardlyfrom and along the circumference of the ring.
 12. The method of claim 11wherein the fastening ring is a split ring.
 13. A pipe fittingcomprising: an inner wall defining a pipe receiving cavity; a firstradial housing element formed by a first housing back wall segment, thefitting inner wall and a housing separator segment; two sealing memberswithin the first radial housing element; a second radial housing elementformed by the housing separator segment, the fitting inner wall and asecond housing front wall segment, wherein the second housing front wallsegment has a top angled guiding surface that extends from the fittinginner wall at an axially outer position thereof to a front wall segmenttip at an axially inner position of the fitting inner wall; and a splitfastening ring removably secured within the second radial housingelement.
 14. The pipe fitting of claim 13 further comprising a hollowrelease pusher removably engaged within an axially outer portion of thefitting inner wall.
 15. The pipe fitting of claim 14 wherein the releasepusher is not threaded, glued or coined into the pipe fitting.
 16. Amethod for assembling a pipe joint assembly, comprising the steps of:providing a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipe receivingcavity therein, wherein the fitting has a first radial housing elementformed by a first housing back wall segment, the fitting inner wall anda housing separator segment, wherein the fitting further has a secondradial housing element formed by the housing separator segment, thefitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment, wherein thesecond housing front wall segment has a top angled guiding surface thatextends from the fitting inner wall at an axially outer position thereofto a front wall segment tip at an axially inner position of the fittinginner wall; securing at least two hollow sealing rings within the firstradial housing element; and securing a hollow fastening ring within thesecond radial housing element, the fastening ring having a plurality ofteeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference of the ring. 17.A method for assembling a pipe joint assembly, comprising the steps of:providing a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipe receivingcavity therein, wherein the fitting has a first radial housing elementformed by a first housing back wall segment, the fitting inner wall anda housing separator segment, wherein the fitting further has a secondradial housing element formed by the housing separator segment, thefitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment, wherein thesecond housing front wall segment has a top angled guiding surface andwherein the housing separator segment has a top angled backing surface,and further wherein the top angled guiding surface and the top angledbacking surface extend at substantially the same angle measured from thefitting inner wall; securing at least two hollow sealing rings withinthe first radial housing element; and securing a hollow fastening ringwithin the second radial housing element, the fastening ring having aplurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference ofthe ring.
 18. A method for assembling a pipe joint assembly, comprisingthe steps of: providing a fitting having an inner wall defining a pipereceiving cavity therein, the fitting having a first radial housingelement formed by a first housing back wall segment, the fitting innerwall and a housing separator segment, the fitting further having asecond radial housing element formed by the housing separator segment,the fitting inner wall and a second housing front wall segment;providing at least two hollow sealing rings secured within the firstradial housing element; providing a hollow fastening ring having aplurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference ofthe ring, the fastening ring secured within the second radial housingelement, wherein the fitting further includes a retaining lip extendingradially inwardly from an axially outer portion of the fitting innerwall; and providing a hollow release pusher having a radially outerledge, wherein the ledge has an exterior top surface and an exteriorback wall, and further wherein the exterior back wall is capable ofremovably engaging the retaining lip.
 19. A method for assembling a pipejoint assembly, comprising the steps of: providing a fitting having aninner wall defining a pipe receiving cavity therein, wherein the fittinghas a first radial housing element formed by a first housing back wallsegment, the fitting inner wall and a housing separator segment, whereinthe fitting further has a second radial housing element formed by thehousing separator segment, the fitting inner wall and a second housingfront wall segment; securing at least two hollow sealing rings withinthe first radial housing element; securing a hollow fastening ringwithin the second radial housing element, the fastening ring having aplurality of teeth angled inwardly from and along the circumference ofthe ring; providing a hollow release pusher removably engaged within anaxially outer portion of the fitting inner wall, the hollow releasepusher having a radially outer ledge, an external tip and an outer wallsegment extending from the radially outer ledge to the external tip,wherein at least a portion of the outer wall segment extends at an angleto the external tip; and wherein the housing separator segment has aplateau surface and a front wall with a front tip, and wherein thehousing separator segment includes a top angled backing surface thatextends from the front wall tip to the plateau surface at an angle thatis greater than the angle at which the outer wall segment of the releasepusher extends to the external tip thereof.